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Decorating a boy's room in an apartment presents a few challenges that may not be present if you own a home. In some cases, the landlord doesn't allow wall painting or nails in the walls. The flooring may be less than ideal for the space, but it's what you have to work with. Decorating in ways that do no damage to the space will please both the child and landlord, so everyone wins.

Floors

If you own the space, you might opt for new flooring for a little boy's room almost immediately after moving in. With an apartment, that's not entirely an option. Play mats designed for children serve as both cushion and decorative floor cover for at least one area of the room. Some play mats, such as those decorated with roads and buildings, give him a place to play with toy cars for hours on end. Place store-bought area rugs atop hard floors or carpeting that has seen better days. Create your own from faux fur or carpet remnants, cut to shapes of animals or a ball from a favorite sport. These rugs provide comfort while protecting both the floor and child.

Walls

You may not be able to paint the walls in your little boy's bedroom, but you can still decorate them in a theme he likes. A giant peel-off wall graphic features his favorite sports team, superhero or perhaps a knight and dragon. Smaller wall clings create custom wall borders suited to his taste. Sets of clings -- such as a tree, owl, moon and a boy -- create custom art on an entire wall similar to a mural. Simply peel and stick each thing into place.

Bookcases and Storage

Bookcases that are short enough for a little boy to reach give him space to stash his favorite storybooks and toys. Paint the furniture in his favorite colors, or paint his name or favorite animal on them. Soft storage bins that fit the bookcase encourage him to place toys where they belong after play.

Fabrics and Furniture

Fabric is one area where you're free to come up with your own plan without upsetting the landlord. Bedding featuring firetrucks, outer space, cowboys or your boy's favorite playtime activity creates a cozy environment. Printed curtains accomplish the same thing. A child-sized furniture item such as a beanbag chair or table and chair set painted to look like a baseball and mitt personalizes the space.

About the Author

Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among others. She enjoys exploring foreign locales and hiking off the beaten path stateside, snapping pics of wildlife and nature instead of selfies.